January/February 2005

Soul BalletDream Beat Dream215

Soul Ballet delivers a series of atmospheric compositions on Dream Beat Dream (215). The group is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist/actor/artist Rick Kelly, whose moody, evocative soundscapes are built on textured synth atmospheres enhanced by instrumental melodies and/or repetitive vocal samples and driven by electronic rhythms. "Cream," which features a hooky trumpet/piano melody, builds into a sweeping production, while "Feel This Beat" is an ambient, hypnotic piece combining guitar, strings and breathy female vocals with a throbbing groove and "beeping" accents, and "Her Whisper" envelops vocal samples and sweet background piano in swirling synths and a busy groove. "Jazzy Girl" adds a bit of a funk feel to the electronic groove, while "Watching U" offers otherworldly vocals and ethereal synth washes over a rubbery rhythm. Dream Beat Dream also includes a bonus CD featuring extended mixes of several tracks from Soul Ballet's eponymous debut album.